Like any business, small businesses are susceptible to cyberattacks. However, small businesses are particularly vulnerable as many often don’t have as stringent protection against cyber criminals. Read on to learn more about the top cybersecurity threats that small businesses are facing in 2025.
AI-Powered Cyberattacks
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly useful to businesses in a variety of industries, however, it can also be used in malicious ways. As it continues to evolve, AI can be leveraged to automate traditional cyberattacks, therefore increasing the hackers’ chances of succeeding in their attack. AI can be used to identify and create phishing emails and even create realistic deep fakes. Deep fakes are generally AI-generated videos of real people. These emails and videos can be very realistic, so training employees on how AI has impacted cybersecurity measures is essential.
Malware and Ransomware
As always, malware and ransomware are threats to any business, and small businesses are no exception. Ransomware is particularly powerful to wield against small businesses because a leak of personal data could be detrimental to a small business’ reputation.
Malware has been a common method of cyber attacks and is still being used in 2025. Malware is a broader term for many different malicious software. This software can harm and corrupt files, making them inaccessible or completely lost. Protecting your business is essential. Installing powerful anti-virus software is a great first step to protecting your business from malicious software.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Internet of Things references many different items that may connect to the internet, such as small doorbell cameras or HVAC systems. Essentially, it encompasses most small devices that connect to the internet. These systems tend to have very relaxed security compared to larger devices, so choosing strong passwords to protect them is essential.
Partner with WesTec to Protect Your Small Business
WesTec works with small to medium-sized businesses to protect and back up their data, ensuring that their information stays safe and secure from cyber attacks. Interested in learning more about WesTec’s services? Contact us on our website to speak to one of our experts. Check out our blog to read more of our IT tips, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn!
No business thinks their systems will fail or they will be the victim of a cyberattack until the unthinkable happens. However, incidents such as these happen more often than one would think. This is why disaster recovery planning is so important for businesses of all sizes. Read on to learn more about the importance of disaster recovery planning and how it can be implemented for businesses of all sizes.
How to Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan
One of the most important aspects of recovering from a disaster, such as equipment error or a cyberattack, is to have all business-related data backed up in the first place. Whether in the cloud or on physical hard drives, having data backed up is essential to ensuring optimal disaster recovery.
Generally, WesTec recommends backing up computers every night and doing a full system restore once a month. By doing this, it may be discovered that files didn’t back up correctly the night before, and the error can be corrected in the morning when employees return to the office. This prevents a situation where data has become corrupt and no one realizes that data hasn’t been backed up in months.
Regularly Assessing the Plan
For a disaster recovery plan to be effective, it needs to be assessed regularly. Changes in staff or changes in the system that a company uses could also cause a plan to need to be assessed and changed. If a cyber attack or drive failure occurs, an outdated plan would not be useful to assist with data recovery.
Contact WesTec to Create Your Disaster Recovery Plan
WesTec’s IT consultants work with our clients to solve a range of IT-related problems, including data recovery and creating data backup solutions. Our professionals are well-versed in IT solutions for small to medium-sized businesses and will assist you with finding the right combination of software and hardware that will suit your business’ needs.
Interested in learning more about WesTec’s services? Contact us today to speak with one of our team members. Check out our blog to read more of our IT tips, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn!
Finding reliable IT support in Houston should be a goal for every business in the industrial hub. Whether your business has a large digital presence or not, having reliable IT support is essential to protect your business’ data.
Consistent Support
WesTec recognizes that not everyone is a “tech guru” and at the rapid rate that technology is continuing to evolve, it can be difficult to keep up and figure out what your business needs to be successful. Our IT consultants at WesTec are here to support you with recommendations, problem-solving, and technical support. We have several different maintenance packages to choose from, but we will also work with you to determine the best course of action for your business.
Cybersecurity
Technology is constantly changing, and while cybersecurity experts are evolving to keep up, cyber-criminals are also becoming smarter. Now more than ever, it is important to protect your company’s systems from cyber attacks with professional assistance. The professionals at WesTec can make recommendations for antivirus software that would benefit your organization or make recommendations for stronger passwords to increase your business’ security.
Why Do You Need IT Support?
Having reliable IT support in Houston is essential. WesTec serves small to medium-sized businesses primarily, which are often the target of cyber attacks. Due to their smaller size, these companies generally have weaker security measures, allowing cyber criminals to access their sensitive data easier. By partnering with WesTec to increase your organization’s security, your business will be at a lesser risk of data loss due to cyber-attacks.
Partner with WesTec for Reliable IT Support in Houston
Since 1997, WesTec has been serving the Houston area and providing worry-free, stress-free IT solutions for businesses. Our goal is to provide solutions that will last and evolve with your business.
The world of IT is evolving at an unprecedented pace and being driven by the rise of emerging technologies. Businesses that embrace these trends stand to gain a competitive edge, unlocking new possibilities and efficiencies. As we navigate the future of IT, staying informed and adapting to these transformative technologies will be crucial for organizations and individuals alike. Learn about which of our IT services may suit your business’s needs the best. If you have any questions about our IT services, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook to keep up with our latest blogs!
Password managers are useful tools that assist businesses and individuals alike with a secure method of saving passwords for programs or websites. Implementing a password manager throughout a company is a strategic decision to enhance an organization’s overall digital security. Read on to learn more about how to use a password manager to enhance your business’ security.
Choosing a Password Manager
While there are several different password management software available, it is important to choose a system that works best for your organization and ensure that it is used throughout the company. While password managers are beneficial for remembering passwords and encouraging complex, unique passwords, it is important for each employee to use the same software. This ensures that everyone who needs access to these passwords is able to access them.
Seamlessly Share Passwords
Many password management programs have features that allow employees to have a shared password section of their password managers. This prevents employees from exchanging sensitive information through email or other messaging apps. Utilizing this shared password section of password management software ensures that strong passwords for your organization are only accessible from one centralized location.
Create Unique Passwords
Using password management software allows employees to create truly secure and unique passwords as they will not have to remember them off the top of their heads. Users often create passwords that are easy to remember, but using a password manager allows these passwords to be far more complex, thereby ensuring your organization’s systems are more secure.
Benefits of Using a Password Manager
Password management software relieves the stress of trying to find passwords and the annoyance of having to reset passwords if they are forgotten. Additionally, it allows an organization to use complex passwords that would be difficult to remember, which strengthens your organization’s overall digital security.
The world of IT is evolving at an unprecedented pace and being driven by the rise of emerging technologies. Businesses that embrace these trends stand to gain a competitive edge, unlocking new possibilities and efficiencies. As we navigate the future of IT, staying informed and adapting to these transformative technologies will be crucial for organizations and individuals alike. Learn about which of our IT services may suit your business’s needs the best. If you have any questions about our IT services, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook to keep up with our latest blogs!
Implementing multi-factor authentication is an easy and effective way to strengthen the security of an organization’s logins. While it may be annoying to input a code or open a separate app each time an account is accessed, the added security benefit is well worth it. Read on to learn more about the importance of multi-factor authentication and easy ways to implement it.
Multi-Factor Authentication Methods
Most programs and websites now have authentication methods built-in, making implementing this security measure easier than ever before.
Authentication Apps
Authentication apps are secondary applications connected to a program that can send a push notification to a specified device as an authenticator. This is a helpful choice for organizations as an employee could have the push notification delivered to their work phone or other device owned by the company. Authentication apps provide added security as a user must have access to a specific device to log in to an account.
Text Message
Many programs will send a text message to the phone number associated with the account to confirm the identity of the user who is logging in. This is an easy method to implement as it doesn’t require downloading an additional app.
PIN
Another multi-factor authentication method is a PIN that is either memorized or a randomized number sent via email or text message by the program. This is often an easy method as the user who is logging in will simply copy and paste the PIN they are provided with.
The Importance of Multi-Factor Authentication for Businesses
Multi-factor authentication methods are important for businesses of all sizes to ensure that their data is not easily accessible. Requiring more than just a password to login to an organization’s system or programs ensures that only authorized users are accessing sensitive information. The methods listed above are free, simple ways to add security to an organization and protect data.
The world of IT is evolving at an unprecedented pace and being driven by the rise of emerging technologies. Businesses that embrace these trends stand to gain a competitive edge, unlocking new possibilities and efficiencies. As we navigate the future of IT, staying informed and adapting to these transformative technologies will be crucial for organizations and individuals alike. Learn about which of our IT services may suit your business’s needs the best. If you have any questions about our IT services, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook to keep up with our latest blogs!
Data backup plans are crucial for businesses in every industry. Whether stored in data servers, external hard drives, or cloud storage, having a data backup plan is essential to ensure that important data doesn’t get lost. Additionally, data backup plans protect organizations from cyber attacks. If a cyber attack occurs and data is lost or stolen, having a backup ensures that important data is not lost forever.
What to Include in a Data Backup Plan
Where should an organization start with implementing a data backup plan? For businesses of every size, it’s always best to consult professionals to get personalized recommendations.
Choosing where to store data is the first step when creating a data backup plan. Each solution has pros and cons. If an organization is looking for a solution that doesn’t take up physical space and may be more cost effective, cloud storage is often a good option. Many different services offer cloud based storage solutions for businesses of all sizes. Physical storage options include hard drives and servers.
WesTec specializes in data storage solutions for small businesses. Contact us today to learn more about our recommendations for data backup plans for small businesses
Automatic Backups
Investing in programs that automatically backup data to the desired location is essential for organizations implementing a data backup plan. Automatically backing up data prevents human error that takes place from forgetting to backup data at a specified time, which puts data at risk of being lost. There are many programs that will automatically back up data and some computers may already have this function. Contact WesTec to learn about our recommendations for programs that will backup data for your organization.
The world of IT is evolving at an unprecedented pace and being driven by the rise of emerging technologies. Businesses that embrace these trends stand to gain a competitive edge, unlocking new possibilities and efficiencies. As we navigate the future of IT, staying informed and adapting to these transformative technologies will be crucial for organizations and individuals alike. Learn about which of our IT services may suit your business’s needs the best. If you have any questions about our IT services, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook to keep up with our latest blogs!
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so do the threats targeting it. Businesses, governments, and individuals alike need to brace for a rapidly changing cybersecurity environment. Here are the top cybersecurity predictions for 2025 and what organizations can do to prepare.
AI-Driven Cyberattacks
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a double edged sword in cybersecurity. While it helps detect and prevent breaches, cybercriminals are leveraging AI to create more sophisticated attacks, including deepfakes, advanced phishing scams, and malware capable of adapting to defenses in real time. AI can generate highly personalized phishing emails by analyzing large datasets about a target’s behavior, preferences, or social media activity. This makes phishing campaigns more convincing and harder to detect. AI models can also help identify vulnerabilities in software faster, enabling attackers to exploit them before patches are developed. Organizations will need to employ advanced AI tools and train employees to recognize AI driven threats.
Threats to Critical Infrastructure
Critical infrastructure, such as power grids, healthcare systems, and water supplies, will become prime targets for cyberattacks. Due to evolving threats and technological advancements, these systems, often built on outdated technology, are vulnerable to ransomware and other disruptive attacks. As organizations rely more on multi-cloud environments and IoT devices, misconfigurations and insecure APIs will remain primary targets. The vast number of interconnected IoT devices, many with weak security, increases the attack surface significantly. Governments and private sectors must invest in modernizing these systems and implementing stringent security protocols.
With proper team preparation and training, you can prevent these cyber attacks before they happen. If you have any questions about our IT services, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook to keep up with our latest blogs!
IT security audits are a useful step to ensuring that your company’s cybersecurity structure is sound. Additionally, they help prevent data breaches. Read on to learn more about IT security audits and how working with cybersecurity professionals is essential to ensuring the security of your organization’s data.
What is an IT Security Audit?
An IT security audit generally identifies vulnerabilities and threats within an organization’s computer network. This audit checks for items such as password complexity, who has access to sensitive data within the network, and the soundness of cybersecurity incident response plans. IT professionals assess the entire system as a whole and recommend actions to strengthen security and prevent data breaches.
IT security audits can also assess an organization’s data backup procedures and assist with creating a plan to store this data, whether in cloud storage or physical hard drives. In the event that a cyber attack does occur, having backups of your organization’s information and files is essential.
What Organizations Should Have an IT Security Audit Performed?
Any organization, large or small can benefit from an IT security audit. Statistically, small businesses tend to have weaker cybersecurity because they may lack the resources that larger organizations have. This makes them far more vulnerable to cyber attacks where their or their customers’ information could be compromised. Working with an IT company to perform an IT security audit strengthens any organization’s security and protects the organization from cyber-attacks if appropriate steps are taken.
WesTec primarily serves small to medium-sized organizations and we work with our clients to negotiate a price that works well for them. Regardless of the size of your business, WesTec works to prevent data loss and protect your business from cybersecurity threats.
All in all, IT security audits are a general assessment of an organization’s system that identifies weaknesses and problems within a system as well as recommends steps that should be taken to strengthen these weaknesses. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from a general assessment of their computer network to ensure their organization is protected against cyber threats.
The world of IT is evolving at an unprecedented pace and being driven by the rise of emerging technologies. Businesses that embrace these trends stand to gain a competitive edge, unlocking new possibilities and efficiencies. As we navigate the future of IT, staying informed and adapting to these transformative technologies will be crucial for organizations and individuals alike. Learn about which of our IT services may suit your business’s needs the best. If you have any questions about our IT services, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook to keep up with our latest blogs!
Businesses of all sizes often need IT support services for varying reasons. Even small businesses may need experts to assess their network for threats and assist with optimization. Whether your business is focused on traditional retail, sales, or e-commerce, IT support services can benefit your business. Read on to learn common signs that your business should invest in IT support services.
Frequent Technical Issues
Technical issues happen to businesses of all sizes and sometimes it can be difficult to determine the cause without expert assistance. IT professionals quickly diagnose problems and allow your business’ network to run smoothly again. Whether technical issues are the result of viruses or outdated operating systems, IT support services solve your frequent technical issues.
Cybersecurity Concerns
If your business stores sensitive information, fear of cyber attacks is a valid concern. Investing in IT support services ensures that sensitive information is kept confidential and safe on your business’ network. IT professionals assess your current cybersecurity situation and make recommendations for stronger passwords, firewalls, and strategies to prevent cyber criminals from accessing information. Small businesses are common targets of cyber attacks as they often have weaker security, so partnering with IT professionals for cyber security support ensures the security of your data.
Insufficient Data Storage
Running out of storage on your business’ computer network can be frustrating and require you to spend time clearing files rather than focusing on operations. IT professionals will recommend data storage solutions, whether it be cloud storage or physical hard drives. It can be difficult to know where to start with expanding data storage, so consulting professionals is essential to organizing data.
Non-Backed Up Data
Backing up your business’ data is critical. If your business does not have important data backed up, it is at risk of being lost. Hard drives can fail due to age, viruses, or any number of reasons. WesTec offers free reports for small businesses that check for three critical areas for data backups. Contact WesTec today to receive this free report by email and to learn more about steps that should be taken to back up your data.
Frequent Downtime
Computer systems having downtime costs businesses time and money. Having to spend the time to fix these issues reduces productivity and takes time away from the normal operations of the business. Investing in IT support services will reduce this downtime. IT professionals will optimize your computer system. Whether your problems stem from outdated systems, outdated software, or cluttered files, these professionals will diagnose your problem and get your system running smoothly.
The world of IT is evolving at an unprecedented pace and being driven by the rise of emerging technologies. Businesses that embrace these trends stand to gain a competitive edge, unlocking new possibilities and efficiencies. As we navigate the future of IT, staying informed and adapting to these transformative technologies will be crucial for organizations and individuals alike. Learn about which of our IT services may suit your business’s needs the best. If you have any questions about our IT services, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook to keep up with our latest blogs!
Cybersecurity is important for every business. Regardless of what industry your business is in, it’s important to have a cybersecurity incident response plan. Having this plan in place ensures that in the event of a cyber threat, your company will know what to do.
What is a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan?
A cybersecurity incident response plan is a document that outlines what should be done in the event of a data breach or other cyber threat that occurs at a business. Essentially, this plan contains steps such as finding the source of the attack, contacting legal representation, and reporting the incident to law enforcement. This plan can be customized to different organizations depending on how sensitive or important the data that has been breached is.
How to Create a Response Plan
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has many resources detailing what an effective cybersecurity incident response plan looks like. A few of these steps include training staff members and consulting with legal representatives. Ensuring that the entire organization is trained on what to do in the event of a data breach is important in order to recover as fast as possible.
Additionally, having a team member who is responsible for the execution of the response plan in the event that a cyber attack takes place is a good idea for most organizations. This team member will be especially knowledgeable of the plan and ensure that everything is carried out as it is supposed to be. Cyber attacks and data breaches are stressful for companies, so this person will be able to be calm due to their familiarity with the plan.
Why is a Response Plan Important?
Cyber threats and incidents come in all levels of magnitude and severity. They can also happen to a business of any size. Being prepared for potential data breaches ensures that an organization has little to no downtime in the event of a cyber attack. Systems being down as a result of a cyber attack costs organizations time and money, so having a response plan in place is vital to lessen the impact of a cyber attack.
The world of IT is evolving at an unprecedented pace and being driven by the rise of emerging technologies. Businesses that embrace these trends stand to gain a competitive edge, unlocking new possibilities and efficiencies. As we navigate the future of IT, staying informed and adapting to these transformative technologies will be crucial for organizations and individuals alike. Learn about which of our IT services may suit your business’s needs the best. If you have any questions about our IT services, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook to keep up with our latest blogs!
Mission: WesTec will be a “turn-key” solution for all of its clients’ business connectivity needs. It will offer efficient and effective solutions, directly and with strategic partners, that create tangible value for its clients at every point of contact. Westec will serve all people and entities with a servant’s heart.
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2916 West TC Jester Blvd.,
Suite 104
Houston, TX 77018
2916 West TC Jester Blvd.,
Suite 104